Bay Area Music Groups
The Bay Area is home to literally hundreds of classical music organizations, from community choruses to world-renowned orchestras, opera companies and chamber ensembles. This listing provides all the vital statistics for Bay Area music groups, as well as a summary of what they do best. Search by type of organization or alphabetically. Note to classical music groups: If your organization is not listed here or there is an error in your listing, please email Eric@sfcv.org.
UC Berkeley Alumni Chorus
The Alumni Chorus performs classic chorale repertoire often alongside UC student choral groups.
Founded: 1985
Artistic Director: Mark Sumner
Where to hear them: Hertz Hall on the UC Berkeley Campus
UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus
The premier choral group of UC Berkeley, the highly acclaimed 30-voice chorus is known for its reading of early works. They often perform with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.
Artistic Director: Marika Kuzma
Where to hear them: Hertz Hall on the UC Berkeley Campus
UC Berkeley Music Department
The University offers a comprehensive program of bachelor and graduate programs in all areas of music education.
Founded: University
Artistic Director: Bonnie Wade (Department Chair)
Where to hear them: Hertz Hall and other locations on the Berkeley campus
UC Berkeley Summer Symphony
Artistic Director: Henry Shin, Hoh Chen, Gene Chang
Where to hear them: Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra
Founded: 1923
Artistic Director: David Milnes
Where to hear them: Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley Campus
UC Choral Ensembles
Founded: Over 100 years ago
Artistic Director: Mark Sumner
Where to hear them: UC Berkeley and some other off campus venues
UC Davis Music Department
The Department of Music at the University of California, Davis, offers Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, with a curriculum based on a synthesis of music scholarship, performance, and composition. The department presents more than 100 events each year by a range of ensembles, as well as an annual artist-in-residence program and a weekly free concert series
Founded: University
Artistic Director: Anna Maria Busse Berger (Department Chair)
Where to hear them: The Mondavi Center for the Arts and other venues on the UC Davis campus
UC Santa Cruz Music Department
The program offers a comprehensive program of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in a wide array of disciplines. The numerous performance ensembles offer performance opportunities in classic, jazz, world and other music disciplines
Founded: University
Artistic Director: Paul Nauert (Department Chair)
Where to hear them: The Music Department Recital Hall
Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley
Artistic Director: Dr. Bryan Baker
Where to hear them: 1 Lawson Road, Kensington, CA 94707
United Nations Association of San Francisco
Founded: October 24, 1945
Artistic Director: Maestro Joseph Eger
Where to hear them: United Nations
United States Open Music Competition (USOMC)
Founded: 1992
Where to hear them: Oakland Interstatke Center (Mormon Temple in Oakland hills)
University of San Francisco Classical Choir Ensemble
Founded: 1855
Artistic Director: Rebecca Seeman
Where to hear them: University of San Francisco
Urban Opera
Founded: July 2009
Artistic Director: Chip Grant
Where to hear them: San Francisco Bay Area
UUCPA Choir
Artistic Director: Henry Mollicone
Where to hear them: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto
